How to Plastic Weld a Kayak - 2019 Hobie Outback

How to plastic weld a kayak - In this video I do a quick DIY on how to plastic weld cracks on kayaks. In specific on my 2019 Hobie kayak. I managed to crack the scupper well of my 2019 Hobie Outback and decided that this would be a good way to demonstrate how quick and easy it is to plastic weld a kayak and get back on the water. Many people stress over having cracks in their kayaks and think that they are doomed and do not know how to fix them. With a few tools and an hour of spare time anyone can properly patch and weld cracks and holes in their kayaks. I hope you enjoy the video and do not forget to like and subscribe!

[@FishAholicTV]

Awesome video! I have a couple cracks on my hobie that I have to weld up. This should make the job easier so thank you!!

[@southernsalt]

Thanks brother, love your content btw!

[@cliffnagle7182]

Best instructional video I've seen on plastic welding. Easy to understand instructions and demo.

[@southernsalt]

Thanks man I appreciate you watching!

[@givemeabreakdoc]

This may be the best instructional video I’ve even seen.

[@southernsalt]

Thanks man I’m glad it was helpful

[@racrx7]

I’ve also taken a length of 3/8” round stock, flatten and shape one end to make like a mini iron. Heat that end of the rod with a propane torch, lay the screen on top of the repair area and lightly iron in the screen into the plastic. Then iron in some plastic on top of the screen. Works great!!

[@rudytamayo2646]

Would love to see a video of this sometime!! 👍🙋‍♂️

[@caryverhalen]

Well for me this was the cat's pajamas. I've watched dozens of Weld Repair on KZbin This by far was the best. Great job and thanks for all the detailed information.

[@southernsalt]

Thanks man I’m glad it was helpful!

[@ralphlantinga9927]

I totally agree!

[@MaximusPham]

thanks for the tutorial, going to use some of your techniques to repair my Yakima Skybox.

[@southernsalt]

Not a problem, let me know how it goes

[@harryf2825]

Great video. One of the best fixes I’ve seen

[@southernsalt]

Thank you sir!

[@mcopilot]

this is why when I had anything to my kayaks I keep the plastic that has been drilled out for this purpose. Keep in a plastic bag with the kayak

[@southernsalt]

Absolutely great point!

[@curtisservice]

Great video brother. Thanks for sharing!

[@southernsalt]

Thanks man I appreciate it!

[@mlh1048]

Great info!

[@southernsalt]

Thank you sir!

[@MrToddBarber]

Awesome! I had a bad crack in my Hobie Kayak a the back near the rudder (it got under a dock at a low tide and when tide came up it cracked it). I was fearful of loosing the whole boat but using your video I got a great weld! Really appreciate your sharing your technique I replicated it exactly with ease.

[@southernsalt]

Man that’s awesome, thanks for sharing!!

[@danbrown6925]

My bro would be a beast with a leister welding gun

[@southernsalt]

lol 🙌

[@gauhdrung]

Thank you, this is so far one of the best videos of welding a kayak I saw on KZbin. I have a Hobie and the crack is around or at the opening of the drain plug (almost 1/3 of the circle). So my kayak has two drain plug holes right on the rear sitting area (a tandem kayak). The crack is not a straight line but rather a curve line or a bow if you can imagine it. It is right on almost the opening of the drain plug. I wonder if this is common among Hobie kayaks.

[@southernsalt]

Thanks man, I’m glad it was helpful. To be honest I’ve never heard of one cracking there but should be an easy fix.

[@Saitanta]

i have the same crack, not on the same kayak tho

[@owenfeng8712]

Thank you! Very useful video.

[@southernsalt]

Thank you!

[@angelorivera9219]

My 2021 is doing same thing

[@LatinRazcals]

Thanks, great video. I look forward to doing the same.

[@southernsalt]

Let us know how it goes!

[@loudnoises4627]

When i saw your first video about the Hobie 360 drive breaking on you, I thought, well maybe there is an issue with the drive. I bought the 360 and have taken it out 5 times on offshore and about 20 times freshwater. I’ve had no issue other than tightening one of the screws to keep my drive from turning while pedaling in rough 5ft waves offshore. Now that I see this video, Im starting to wonder if maybe you just really put these kayaks to the test lol. A 2019 already cracked it? Also, Hobie lets you keep the damaged kayak and just ships you out a new one under warranty?

[@southernsalt]

Well I definitely use my kayaks I’m in them 3-5 days a week. 4-8 hours a day so I put a whole lot more use in them than the avg person. You don’t get to keep the kayak. The kayak gets destroyed by the dealer that submitted the warranty.

[@feesh00]

Hello and thanks for your video I have pro angler cracked under the seat and now i am afraid to move on it for a offshore trip! Does this way could guarantee my next offshore trip ?

[@danbrown6925]

Using a mesh patch actually makes it stronger then it ever was originally so yes

[@redstixlacrosse7137]

How's that weld holding up? Did you use it much before your new hull arrived? Also, where did you get your plastic from; my boat is dune also and would love a decent match

[@southernsalt]

It held up great. Used it for 2 months until I got a replacement. I’ve done welds before and have never had a problem. I got the plastic from my local dealer.

[@redstixlacrosse7137]

How did you come to prefer the heat gun method? Did you try the plastic weld tool that hobie recommends?

[@southernsalt]

This is the method that my dealer told me to use. Been doing it this way for years.

[@MultiBulldog56]

Thanks for video i used a harbor freight plastic weld tool and it came with the wire mesh. I wasn’t sure the plastic it came with was the right kind so used plastic off a bucket I had

[@Saitanta]

hey bro, im doing a repair soon. i have a heat gun with adjustable temp plastic welding gun, and a adjustable temp soldering iron with plastic welding heads. which one would you recommend for the a job like this, or would you recommend using both, they adjust temp from 40c - 600c on both.

[@southernsalt]

I’m not sure at all. All I’ve ever used is heat guns and HDPE strips.

[@danbrown6925]

Both the first one you said is his method with exact control temp to set for welding point for the plastic you are welding. It’s a more scientific approach then feathering it with a heat gun and it will work much quicker. Once you want to finish off the weld use the iron with the flat welding tip to smooth out any imperfections imo

[@s.stallone5350]

Man you did such a nice job on this, Hobie may not send you that new hull now. :(

[@southernsalt]

Lol thanks man! I got the new hull, no problems with this one 😂

[@s.stallone5350]

@@southernsalt Good to hear. Keep us informed. Unfortunately, I've been seeing a pattern forming as this is like the second case I have seen with this cracking in the same area and the high seat support. Hope Hobie isn't cheaping out on the amount of plastic their using. The rudder on the 2019 models look pretty flimsy also.

[@RobertBadgett]

Great video. Thanks. Hobie tells me that the material in their kayaks is Linear Polyethylene. So it seems from your video that HDPE will work. Comments?

[@southernsalt]

Thanks, I've always used HDPE and have never had a problem with the plastic bonding.

[@anilmarakkar8304]

Thanks

[@MrBigFishJoe]

Great video. I would think hobie would warranty the hull and send you a replacement.

[@southernsalt]

Thank you sir! Hobie did replace the hull no problem with the new one.

[@jclarkj6]

👍 Very helpful!

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@jclarkj6]

So I took 4 hours to do a proper repair. The use of the heat gun on low is the key. Get the body of kayak very warm so the weld sticks actually “stick”. Also used stainless mesh provided with the plastic welder kit I previously bought. THANK YOU AGAIN. I’m back on water!

[@LifeBehindBars_2017]

may i ask how heavy you are? trying to do research to see if this is rider weight related or just defective manufacturing.

[@southernsalt]

+LaMadrid81 250 pounds

[@chribrian]

I was looking at getting a hobie but this cracking trend I’ve been seeing has turned me away.

[@dalejuhl8591]

Only thing I would do differently would be to use a soldering iron to apply the mesh. It takes no pressure and sinks in a small portion at a time it’s much easier to achieve the desired depth is all. Using a heat gun can be very challenging I have only done it once.

[@southernsalt]

Appreciate the input man!

[@andrerodriguez3043]

Hey has the repair held up a year later?

[@southernsalt]

I got a replacement hull under warranty but it held up fine

[@joshuaramey1]

Where did you get the plastic you used?

[@southernsalt]

My dealer had some spare

[@joshuaramey1]

@@southernsalt awesome. Thank you sir.

[@mistapikkles]

What do you think caused the crack?

[@southernsalt]

+Derek using the Hobie cart varying it to the water. That’s the only thing I can think of and that’s also what the dealership said was likely the cause.

[@moskamkayakfishing1922]

Hi bud, did you manage to replace the hull?

[@sjhsjh2958]

@@southernsalt hi there, great video! How's the new Hull going, are you still using those hobie cart after what happened to your 2019 outback?

[@SSHitMan]

I just use a $12 plastic welder from Harbor Freight. Never had a crack though, just plugging up screw holes after I removed an accessory I no longer needed.

[@southernsalt]

Do those plastic welders have HDPE rods?

[@SSHitMan]

@@southernsalt It came with HDPE sticks and about 20- square inches of wire mesh.

[@southernsalt]

I’ve looked for them before and couldn’t find the HDPE rods. This is good to know, thanks!

[@karendadd483]

Here in Canada we have a product called JB plastic weld ..it's two parts that are like plastacin and you mix then together..it actually starts to heat up when they react to one another ..works great on canaoes kayaks and peddle boats that have cracks in the plastic and leak

[@southernsalt]

JB Weld won’t work on HDPE

[@kippercat123]

I would have used a heat wand with such a small crack. Less time consuming then messing with the heat gun.... but hey.... you fixed it and thats what matters.

[@DungTran-ve2gu]

Why not using JB weld plastic and make it an easier process?

[@southernsalt]

JB weld does not bond to HDPE plastic. It may work at first but as soon as the hull flexes it will bust open.

[@dalejuhl8591]

JB weld is fine for a temporary repair Working with thermo plastics there is no epoxy or glue that would be permanent. Good for thermoset plastics however because thermoset materials are not weldable. Hope this helps.

[@chrism8013]

That's ridiculous for a $3K piece of plastic. This is not the first or last time we'll see this on the new outbacks. The plastic needs to be reinforced from within during the manufacturing process, not with cheap plastic inserts. Scupper cart wheels are a great idea, but not worth the risk of ruining $3K worth of investment. Hobie needs a real cart that supports the weight throughout the hull, not in it's weakest point. Maybe a cart that utilizes the scupper holes to center the cart that eliminates the need for straps, but with integrated arms that support it from under the hull. Hey, Hobie, it's my idea, I get a cut of the share for thinking of it. Call me, lets talk.

[@mcopilot]

I will never use a scupper cart I have seen it ruin kayaks

[@racrx7]

Lol, that’s how I’ve made my carts

[@chribrian]

Hobie kayaks are cracking not just at scupper holes from carts but in many areas. I’m glad I researched them before laying out over $3k. This is something you would expect to happen with budget kayaks not premium

[@sjhsjh2958]

@@chribrian can I ask what other areas of the outback are prone to cracking?

[@the101dad]

Lol that’s why I went with Ascend lol

[@watchman316ly]

Don't they make some kind of a HDPE hot gun for this purpose?

[@southernsalt]

I’m not sure but it would be useful.

[@the101dad]

They do they’re about 130$

[@raybrdjr]

NATE, I HAVE A HAMMERHEAD KAYAK I PURCHASED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE A CRACK ON THE BOTTOM OF THE HULL ABOUT 4" FROM GETTING HUNG UP ON A SHARP STUMP. CAN YOU POINT ME IN THE DIRECTION AS TO WHAT TOLLS I MAY NEED TO FIX IT??? ITS NOT A STRESS CRACK LIKE IN THIS VIDEO.

[@southernsalt]

Fix it the same way pointed out in the video. This will work for just about any crack

[@thepremiumclothingstore]

Use a hobie welder for small cracks it’s so much easier than to risk damaging the kayak with a heat gun. A hobie welder is so much better and does a better job.

[@araldf]

¿Hobie welder? I google it because I´m interested in looking for options to repair mine, but I didn´t find information about a hobie welder. Can you help me explaining what is it?

[@thepremiumclothingstore]

Buy on ebay the link is a example

[@steveriley1000]

Flex seal tape could have saved you 1000s

[@southernsalt]

Absolutely not

[@BrianParkerson]

@@southernsalt 😂